SENIOR RECOGNITION NIGHT LINN-MAR HIGH SCHOOL Class of 2020 Linn-Mar Schools Foundation Scholarships LINN-MAR SCHOOLS FOUNDATION MELISSA ANN BRENDES MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP $1,000 Award Melissa was a graduate of Linn-Mar High School’s class of 2005. She was a member of the award-winning Linn-Mar Poms, loved to dance, and held a special place in her heart for children of all ages. She was a student at the University of Iowa with a major in English and Communications Studies, with a minor in dance. Working with young dancers to help them achieve their potential was a special joy in Melissa’s life. Sadly, Melissa’s short life ended tragically on October 18, 2007. In her memory, her parents have established a scholarship to recognize a Linn-Mar senior that shows the same passion for dance and children that Melissa had. LINN-MAR SCHOOLS FOUNDATION MELISSA ANN BRENDES MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP Delaney Hannan LINN-MAR SCHOOLS FOUNDATION PAULA GRADY MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP $1,000 Award This scholarship was established in 1996 recognizing a graduating senior who best exemplifies the qualities in the life of Paula Grady, a long time Linn-Mar supporter, “quiet leadership”, good citizenship, school involvement and motivation to reach one’s potential. Paula was a strong supporter of Linn-Mar education serving as an educator, school board member and volunteer in numerous capacities. She worked quietly and confidently with a high level of diplomacy in her leadership. LINN-MAR SCHOOLS FOUNDATION PAULA GRADY MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP Maneesh John LINN-MAR SCHOOLS FOUNDATION DAYTON & MARILYN SIPPY SCHOLARSHIP $500 Award These long-time Marion residents created a scholarship in 1998 to support Linn-Mar students with the pursuit of higher education and meaningful employment. The Sippy family have been strong supporters of education excellence and the difference it makes for area students. Mr. Dayton Sippy had a more non-traditional education in the Armed Services and receiving training on the job with Rockwell Collins. Mrs. Marilyn Sippy was a Linn-Mar educator. LINN-MAR SCHOOLS FOUNDATION DAYTON & MARILYN SIPPY SCHOLARSHIP Isaac Anderson LINN-MAR SCHOOLS FOUNDATION JOHN ANDERSON MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP $1,000 Award This scholarship was established in memory of John. M. Anderson, a 1984 graduate of Linn- Mar High School. He was a three-year varsity basketball player at Linn-Mar and played center for the 1983 Linn-Mar state championship team. He was awarded a basketball scholarship at Ohio State University and played for four years, then traveled all over the world playing ball for teams in a number of countries. John was stricken with meningitis while in Australia in 1994 and passed away shortly after. John was known as a “blue collar worker,” making the most of his talents through hard work and team play. His friends and family contributed money to this fund to provide scholarship dollars to a deserving graduate of Linn-Mar High School each year. LINN-MAR SCHOOLS FOUNDATION JOHN ANDERSON MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP Jacob Voss LINN-MAR SCHOOLS FOUNDATION AGGARWAL FAMILY SCHOLARSHIP FOR EDUCATIONAL EXCELLENCE Two $1,000 Awards This scholarship was established in 2016 and supports the plans of two Linn-Mar students attending any accredited two- or four-year school or technical program. The Aggarwal family and Linn-Mar graduates Summet Aggarwal, 2000 & Manish Aggarwal, 2004 wanted a way to support students and give back to the school district they gained so much from. LINN-MAR SCHOOLS FOUNDATION AGGARWAL FAMILY SCHOLARSHIP FOR EDUCATIONAL EXCELLENCE Samual Starnes LINN-MAR SCHOOLS FOUNDATION AGGARWAL FAMILY SCHOLARSHIP FOR EDUCATIONAL EXCELLENCE Savannah Zhou LINN-MAR SCHOOLS FOUNDATION JOHN & PEG SLUSHER UNIVERSITY OF IOWA SCHOLARSHIP $1,000 Award The scholarship has been established by John & Peg Slusher. They have lived in the Linn-Mar school district for 45 years and have a strong love for their community, educational excellence and helping area students. They want to support Linn-Mar students with getting an education at the University of Iowa. The Slusher family has established an endowed scholarship fund with the Linn-Mar School Foundation which will provide scholarships for students well into the future. LINN-MAR SCHOOLS FOUNDATION JOHN & PEG SLUSHER UNIVERSITY OF IOWA SCHOLARSHIP Emily Cummings LINN-MAR SCHOOLS FOUNDATION GERALD SENNINGER TROJAN LODGE #548 SCHOLARSHIP $1,000 Award The Gerald Senninger scholarship was established by Trojan Lodge #548 to honor Mr. Senninger’s desire to support a student from Marion, Iowa who will be pursuing further education upon high school graduation. Mr. Senninger was a former Linn County Auditor and dedicated Lodge member. Upon his passing, Mr Senninger created a trust to fund scholarships to continue his family's legacy of giving dating back to 1971. LINN-MAR SCHOOLS FOUNDATION GERALD SENNINGER TROJAN LODGE #548 SCHOLARSHIP Calvin Kanz LINN-MAR SCHOOLS FOUNDATION SUNRISE ROTARY CLUB AWARD $750 Award This scholarship was created to inspire “service above self”, the Rotary International motto. This scholarship established in 1996 recognizes success at Linn-Mar and an interest in further education. LINN-MAR SCHOOLS FOUNDATION SUNRISE ROTARY CLUB AWARD Arsha Vaddadi LINN-MAR SCHOOLS FOUNDATION HEATHER MERSHBROCK MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP $500 Award This scholarship has been established to honor the memory of Heather Ann Merschbrock. Heather graduated in 1994 from Linn-Mar High School and was a four-year/two sport cheerleader. She participated in many extra-curricular activities with cheerleading being her favorite. Heather attended the University of Iowa and then transferred to the University of Northern Iowa where she received her teaching degree. She taught 6th Grade math in San Antonio, Texas. Heather’s smile and amazing strength have been a great inspiration to the many people she encountered. All who knew her will forever know her as someone with great perseverance, optimism and a bright personality. After a year long battle with skin cancer, Heather passed away on October 4, 2000. This scholarship is open to Linn-Mar High School Seniors pursuing a career in education. Involvement in extracurricular and community activities is desired. LINN-MAR SCHOOLS FOUNDATION HEATHER MERSCHBROCK MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP Maya Prebil LINN-MAR SCHOOLS FOUNDATION LINN-MAR STUDENT COUNCIL SCHOLARSHIP IN MEMORY OF SELENA APODACA AND BELLA SEVERSON $500 Award Sisters Selena Apodaca and Bella Severson, students of the Linn-Mar Community School District, were tragically lost in a car accident on the third of November, 2016. The loss was devastating to their families, friends and to the entire Linn-Mar community. Linn-Mar unified in support of those in mourning and to remember the lives of Selena and Bella. It is in this remembrance that the Linn-Mar student council has chosen to honor the memory of the sisters in the form of a scholarship. The scholarship has been created with the help of family and friends to be awarded to an individual who possesses similar character traits and values to those of Selena and Bella, such as love of family and friends, strong willed, outgoing, free- spirited, and tough in the face of challenges. LINN-MAR SCHOOLS FOUNDATION LINN-MAR STUDENT COUNCIL SCHOLARSHIP IN MEMORY OF SELENA APODACA AND BELLA SEVERSON Arnav Bhushan LINN-MAR SCHOOLS FOUNDATION NICK WILWERT TENNIS SCHOLARSHIP $500 Award This scholarship supports a Linn-Mar men’s tennis team member who best reflects Nick Wilwert’s caring nature and dedication to others reflected in his support of student athletes and in his community. LINN-MAR SCHOOLS FOUNDATION NICK WILWERT TENNIS SCHOLARSHIP Joseph Steigerwaldt LINN-MAR SCHOOLS FOUNDATION MARION FIREFIGHTERS ASSOCIATION SCHOLARSHIP $500 Award This scholarship was established by the Marion Firefighters Association (MFFA). MFFA is an independent body of volunteer and career firefighters that serve the city of Marion, Iowa and Marion township. The purpose of this scholarship is to provide financial assistance to students in the community seeking a career path in Fire Science and/or EMT/Paramedic. In order to obtain careers in these fields, people are required to obtain designations that can be costly. By providing this scholarship, it is MFFA’s desire to encourage students to pursue this valuable career path not only for the Marion community but for all communities. LINN-MAR SCHOOLS FOUNDATION MARION FIREFIGHTERS ASSOCIATION SCHOLARSHIP Trent Partridge LINN-MAR SCHOOLS FOUNDATION KIWANIS CLUB OF MARION ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP $500 Award The Kiwanis Club of Marion established an endowed scholarship fund in 2004 in recognition of nearly 30 years of service to the community. The Kiwanis Club of Marion served the community since 1979 and created a scholarship honoring service to others for Linn-Mar and Marion graduates. This year's recipient demonstrates a strong commitment to serve others. LINN-MAR SCHOOLS FOUNDATION KIWANIS CLUB OF MARION ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP Isha Kalia LINN-MAR SCHOOLS FOUNDATION STEVEN J. COLTON MEMORIAL BAND SCHOLARSHIP $1,000 Award Extraordinary Linn-Mar instrumental music instructor, Steve Colton, is remembered by friends, family and alumni through this generous scholarship to a Linn-Mar graduate pursuing a career in instrumental band music. Steve Colton retired from Linn-Mar in 2004 after 27 years as the High School band director. He received numerous honors for his contributions to music education and to our community. The Colton Center at Linn-Mar High School is named in his honor. LINN-MAR SCHOOLS FOUNDATION STEVEN J. COLTON MEMORIAL BAND SCHOLARSHIP Jaslyn Riherd LINN-MAR SCHOOLS FOUNDATION MORRIS F. NEIGHBOR SCHOLARSHIP $450 Award Morris Neighbor graduated from Alburnett High School in 1935 and attended Banking School at Coe College, Iowa State University and University of Wisconsin. In 1936, Morris operated a grocery and egg buying business from his father's general store in LaFayette. On June 21, 1941 he was united in marriage to Betty Lucille Oliphant and on June 26, 1941 Morris was inducted into the U.S.